An Olympic sport since Athens 1896,
shooting has increased to 15 events from the original three in the first Modern Olympics.

Shooting with the rifle, pistol and shotgun has been practised in many
countries since the middle Ages. During the 19th Century, however, shooting also developed
into a sport with an alliance of shooters forming themselves into associations,
federations, councils, confederations, unions and organisations.

Sweden's Oscar Swahn
was 60 years old when he won his first gold medal, at the London
1908 Olympics; in the running deer single-shot event.

He also won a gold in the team event and a bronze in the running deer,
double shots. Swan also won gold and bronze medals in Stockholm
1912 and returned to Olympic competition after World War I, in Antwerp 1920, to win a silver medal in the running deer
double-shot team event, at the ripe old age of 72; taking his Olympic tally to three gold
medals, one silver and two bronze.

Shan Zhang,
representing China, caused an uproar when she beat the men; in the mixed sex skeet
shooting event, at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games.

After the Barcelona Games, the International Shooting Union barred
women from shooting against men. There was no skeet shooting event for women at the Atlanta 1996 Games, so Zhang couldn't defend her title.

ISSF:
ISSF Headquarter, Bavariaring 21, 80036 München, Germany.
Founded in 1907 as the Union Internationale des Federations et Associations Nationales de
Tir, the International Shooting Sport Federation, as it's called today, is the governing
body of the shooting sport.

National Federations

Australian Shooting Association:
With a great deal of determination and effort by all levels of the shooting community, and
key financial assistance from the Australian Sports Commission, the ASA has stabilised to
the point where it is now able to confidently plan for the future, and to build on their
success at the Sydney Olympics and the dedication of the ASA affiliate organisations.

British Shooting:
The governing body for all target shooting within Britain. Formerly known as GBTSF - Great
Britain Target Shooting Federation.

Shooting Federation of Canada:
The Shooting Federation of Canada was formed in 1932, under the name of the Canadian Small
Bore Rifle Association. In 1949, Supplementary Letters Patent were issued for a change of
name to the Canadian Civilian Association of Marksmen. The present name, the Shooting
Federation of Canada, was authorised in 1964 when skeet and trap associations affiliated
to form one umbrella organisation.

USA Shooting:
USA Shooting, headquartered at the Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Colorado Springs, is
the national governing body for the Olympic shooting sports and those governed by the
International Sport Shooting Federation.